1865, New York. Stock certificate for 4 shares. Black. Vignette of a rail yard and a ship yard with the "Saftey & Dispatch" seal at top center. Signed as vice president by JOHN BUTTERFIELD, as Secretary by WILLIAM G. FARGO and as Treasurer by ALEX HOLLAND. FARGO, WILLIAM G. (1818 - 1881). Expressman. Fargo got his start in the express business at age 13 through a 30 mile mail route. Sometime later, William Fargo served as a messenger with Wells & Company, the first express company to venture west of Buffalo. Fargo became a partner in Wells & Company and, in 1850, they joined with two other express companies to form the American Express Company which covered the eastern sector of the United States; Wells, Fargo & Company, formed in 1852, covered the western sector. Wells went on to start his own firm, Wells & Company, which ran a route from Buffalo to Detroit, the first express company to venture west of Buffalo. As a young man, William Fargo served as a messenger with Wells & Company, and eventually became Wells' partner. In 1850, Wells & Company joined with two other express companies to form the American Express Company which covered the eastern sector of the United States, with the western sector being covered by Wells, Fargo and Company.
BUTTERFIELD, JOHN (1801 - 1869). Expressman; Financier. Beginning his career in the express business as a stage driver, Butterfield soon held a share in the proprietorship he was working for. Shortly, most of the stage lines west of New York were under his control. In 1849, he formed the express company of Butterfield, Wasson & Co. and in 1850, upon his suggestion, a merger of his company, (Henry) Wells & Co. and Livingston, (William G.) Fargo & Co. formed the American Express Company. In 1857, they received the government contract for the first transcontinental stage line at $600,000 per year and resulted in the Overland Mail Company of which Butterfield was president. His activities stretched to steamboating, plank roads and railroads.
Some light toning. Revenue stamp affixed. Uncancelled and very fine. This item has been authenticated, graded and encapsulated by PASS-CO.
